{"id":265658,"date":"2025-10-03T16:30:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T06:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/?p=265658"},"modified":"2025-10-22T11:39:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T00:39:53","slug":"russh-editors-handbag-essentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/russh-editors-handbag-essentials\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the bag: 10 essentials the ‘RUSSH’ Editors swear by"},"content":{"rendered":"

We live out of our bags. Between meetings and desk-to-dinner detours, they carry the fixes that keep us moving: sunglasses<\/a>, lip balm that survives back-to-back meetings, a Kindle for the in-betweens<\/a>. Some of us pack light; others plan for the what-ifs. Either way, the aim is the same \u2013 pull out exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. These are the things we actually use, on repeat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kirsty Thatcher<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Digital Editor<\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bag of choice:<\/strong> In a dream world, it\u2019s a Bottega Veneta Andiamo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

10 essentials: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Sunglasses, always. Love these Saint Laurent ones<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. My MAC Lip Liner<\/a> has been in my bag for as long as I can remember. Whirl is the only shade I wear.<\/li>\n
  3. You never know when a bad hair day is going to strike, so I like to have a mini Maison Pearson<\/a> on me.<\/li>\n
  4. Similarly, this Ouai pomade<\/a> has saved my hair more times than I can say. Perfect for a quick slick-back.<\/li>\n
  5. My AirPods<\/a>, for obvious reasons.<\/li>\n
  6. My friends got me a Kindle<\/a> for my birthday, and I\u2019m obsessed. She comes with me everywhere.<\/li>\n
  7. Summer Fridays lip balm<\/a> is a non-negotiable.<\/li>\n
  8. You can pretty much guarantee I will have a pair of earrings (or five) floating around my bag. These Love Isabelle<\/a> ones are my current favourites.<\/li>\n
  9. I am addicted to Fundays. The Strawberry and Cream flavour<\/a> is elite.<\/li>\n
  10. If you have thick eyebrows, you get it. I always have this Brow Freeze<\/a> (and a spare spoolie) on hand.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Stacey Gaskin<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Consumer Revenue Manager<\/i><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Bag of choice: <\/strong>Prada large Bonnie tote bag<\/a><\/p>\n

    10 (11) essentials: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    I have more than 10 items in my bag at all times but here are some of the non-negotiables.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Can\u2019t go anywhere without my LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. 10ml English Pear & Freesia Cologne<\/a> – a long time go-to.<\/li>\n
    3. MERIT Flush Balm in Stockholm<\/a> – lip and cheek colour on the go. A great colour for my very fair skin.<\/li>\n
    4. Cardholder<\/a> – very chic and just as necessary.<\/li>\n
    5. Sunglasses.<\/li>\n
    6. Hair pin<\/a> – this one has character and has great grip (I have long fine hair).<\/li>\n
    7. iPod Classic<\/a> – just because. With wired headphones<\/a> – I use a hair tie to keep them untangled. And if it\u2019s not my iPod it\u2019s what I\u2019m currently reading.<\/li>\n
    8. Kine wipes<\/a> – plastic-free cloth and certified flushable.<\/li>\n
    9. memobottle<\/a> – love how this doesn\u2019t overcrowd my bag.<\/li>\n
    10. Aesop Eleos Aromatique Hand Balm<\/a><\/li>\n
    11. tic tacs<\/a> – I had to include.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Cassandra Dimitroff<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Features and Production Editor<\/i><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Bag of choice:<\/strong> My dream bag at the moment is the TOTEME Bucket in this Brown Croc Leather<\/a>. She\u2019s unreal.<\/p>\n

      10 essentials: <\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. CHANEL Hydra Beaty Micro Serum Levres<\/a> \u2013 the bougiest thing you\u2019ll find in my bag.<\/li>\n
      2. I don\u2019t subscribe to Labubus, but I do subscribe to these TANCHEN Pet Nat Pet<\/a> bottle openers \/ key chains. I have the ROE one.<\/li>\n
      3. Merit\u2019s Flush Balm in Fox<\/a> is pretty much the only on-the-go makeup I bother with.<\/li>\n
      4. Sunglasses are never optional \u2013 these DMY Studios Margot<\/a> sunnies are the current faves.<\/li>\n
      5. Aesop\u2019s Rinse-Free Hand Sanitiser<\/a> spray is a permanent fixture \u2013 great for sharing with friends before a meal.<\/li>\n
      6. Apple Airpods<\/a> (mine are much crustier and dustier than these pictured).<\/li>\n
      7. I am that person who always carts a book around for moments in-between. Currently starting in on Nova Scotia House <\/i>by Charlie Porter<\/a>.<\/li>\n
      8. I am well and truly a spokesperson for this fragrance now. Sage\u2019s Rose by TSU LANGE YOR<\/a> is 11\/10. I usually carry the 10ml with me.<\/li>\n
      9. I am also always raiding hotel rooms and airport lounges for sachets of tea. T2 tea bags<\/a> are obviously the pinnacle of this treasure hunt.<\/li>\n
      10. Not pictured \u2013 but my vintage brown leather wallet. It\u2019s dilapidated and a hand-me-down from decades ago, but I\u2019ll probably carry it around till it\u2019s hanging by a thread.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Mia Steiber <\/b><\/h3>\n

        Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher<\/i><\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Bag of choice:<\/strong> I\u2019m still dreaming of the Miu Miu Aventure bag<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        As for my 10 handbag essentials<\/strong>, these are the bits that are always within arm\u2019s reach:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Sephora\u2019s Size Up Mascara <\/a>is always with me. This is my go-to mascara for reapplications as it holds and doesn\u2019t flake.<\/li>\n
        2. Flavedo\u2019s chinotto liner<\/a> is technically an eyeliner but it makes the perfect lipliner \u2013 and blush in a pinch.<\/li>\n
        3. Dr Lara Devgan lip plumper<\/a>, she\u2019s spicy, but she\u2019s the best.<\/li>\n
        4. The does-anything-and-everything concealer, YSL Beauty Touche Eclat<\/a>.<\/li>\n
        5. Of course I can\u2019t leave home without my iPhone 17 Pro.<\/a><\/li>\n
        6. My Kindle Colorsoft<\/a> is also a handbag mainstay, self explanatory really.<\/li>\n
        7. I must always have a claw clip. I like these ones.<\/a><\/li>\n
        8. Airpods<\/a>, again self explanatory.<\/li>\n
        9. I have a little Vestirsi pouch<\/a> that is always full of antihistamine, nurofen, ventolin and travelcalm. It comes with me everywhere.<\/li>\n
        10. And, my stainless steel water bottle<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Sophia Serafin<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Implementation Manager<\/i><\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Bag of choice:<\/strong> The Attico Large La Passeggiata Tote Bag in Brown Suede<\/a><\/p>\n

          10 essentials: <\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. I still carry physical cards and a distinctive card-holder<\/a> helps me find them quickly in the chaos of my bag.<\/li>\n
          2. I picked up this lip balm from a French Pharmacy<\/a> and it truly lives up to the soft-lip hype.<\/li>\n
          3. Always keeping sunglasses on-hand, the bigger the better to channel your inner Charli XCX <\/a><\/li>\n
          4. AirPods<\/a> to block out my surroundings when I want to focus or wind-down.<\/li>\n
          5. I was anti-Kindle<\/a> at first, but since receiving it as a gift I don\u2019t go anywhere without it.<\/li>\n
          6. There\u2019s always a pair of swimmers<\/a> tucked in my bag. You never know when you\u2019ll end up at the beach.<\/li>\n
          7. A pocket sized hairbrush from Maison Pearson<\/a> is a tiny luxury that just makes sense.<\/li>\n
          8. The Kevyn Aucoin Tubing Mascara<\/a> is perfect for quick touch-ups – it never smudges, and comes off clean. An essential.<\/li>\n
          9. I carry a Saint Valentine velvet Jewellery box<\/a> in case I want to swap out pieces or take something off.<\/li>\n
          10. I\u2019m always chewing gum, Extra White Peppermint only.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Jaime Carmody<\/b><\/h3>\n

            Digital Marketing Specialist<\/i><\/p>\n

            \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Bag of your choice: A girl can dream\u2026 <\/strong>Prada Medium Bonnie Tote bag<\/a><\/p>\n

            10 essentials: <\/b><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. I\u2019m not joking when I say my Maison Louis Marie Perfume Oil in No.4, Bois De Balincourt<\/a> is with me at ALL times, by far the hardest working product in my bag.<\/li>\n
            2. Next up is my KIT urban hand slave<\/a> cream – the name says it all. Packed with restorative oils and superfoods, it keeps my hands nourished and revived on the go.<\/li>\n
            3. I always seem to end up with about 40 different lip products in my bag. At the moment I\u2019ve been gravitating to this MAC lipstick<\/a>.<\/li>\n
            4. Another hard working product in my bag is my Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm.<\/a> It’s super nourishing and fresh without feeling too sticky.<\/li>\n
            5. My Charlotte TIlburry lip liner in pillowtalk <\/a>is my secret weapon. It defines, shapes and keeps my lips looking polished without feeling overdone.<\/li>\n
            6. With the weather warming up my Jurlique face mist<\/a> is a lifesaver.<\/li>\n
            7. When stress hits, I roll on Aesop\u2019s Ginger Flight Therapy.<\/a> This little bottle of zen blends ginger, lavender and geranium to help calm my nerves.<\/li>\n
            8. I always carry my Frank Green ceramic reusable cup.<\/a> Not only does my coffee taste better, but my local cafe rewards me for bringing it in.<\/li>\n
            9. I always have my Le Specs sunglasses <\/a>in my bag, perfect for hiding tired eyes.<\/li>\n
            10. I always keep Clinique\u2019s cleansing balm<\/a> in my bag because you never know when you\u2019ll need a quick makeup wipe off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Elyssa Kostopoulos<\/b><\/h3>\n

              Content Director & Watch Editor<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

              \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Bag of choice:<\/strong> Great hardware on a bag will get me every time. I\u2019m still obsessed with the Loewe Squeeze<\/a>\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              10x essentials:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Like the traditionalist I am, I still write everything down and carry my <\/span>Aspinal of London notebook<\/span><\/a> everywhere I go. It is both chic and supremely practical and every time it\u2019s out on the table at my local coffee shop, I receive major complements.<\/span><\/li>\n
              2. I recommend the <\/span>Herm\u00e8s Le Beige The lip pencil<\/span><\/a> every chance I get. It is the perfect nude for everyday wear and it\u2019s always, <\/span>always<\/span><\/i>, in my handbag.<\/span><\/li>\n
              3. Soy sauce. I won\u2019t be elaborating any further.<\/span><\/li>\n
              4. I have started using a cuticle oil religiously after my nail lady begged me to and it has actually changed the shape of my nail bed. I can\u2019t link the exact one because my nail lady gives it to me in a little pen, but I\u2019ve heard great things about the the <\/span>manucurist Huile Verte Cuticle Oi<\/span><\/a>l. Great for applying during your daily commute.<\/span><\/li>\n
              5. I always rotate my sunglasses, but right now, I can\u2019t stop wearing the <\/span>Devon 01 from Gentle Monster<\/span><\/a>. They always make me look put together even when I\u2019m not.<\/span><\/li>\n
              6. Perfume and deodorant. Right now I\u2019m loving the <\/span>who is elijah HIS|HER in the travel size<\/span><\/a>, and I\u2019m trialing the <\/span>Uni deodorant<\/span><\/a> and it fits so neatly tucked into my cosmetics pouch.<\/span><\/li>\n
              7. Speaking of cosmetic bags, I have a beauty case from Oroton that comes with me everywhere. Stuffed with all the essentials \u2013 from makeup touch-ups to Nurofen \u2013 it\u2019s the ultimate safety net. I can\u2019t find my exact one online, but I love the new <\/span>Oroton Fife Medium Beauty Case<\/span><\/a> too.<\/span><\/li>\n
              8. Never leave the house without <\/span>my AirPods<\/span><\/a>. The more noise cancelling, the better.<\/span><\/li>\n
              9. I am the unofficial ambassador for Melbourne hair accessories brand, Vesitia. You will always find one of their <\/span>signature claw clips<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Maison comb\u2019s<\/span><\/a> in my bag.<\/span><\/li>\n
              10. Protein bars or individually packaged popcorn. Shoutout to all my motion sickness girlies out there.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                 <\/p>\n\n